Chapter 3

Daniel, by all accounts, was quite attractive.

His small head atop broad shoulders gave him a youthful appearance, easily mistaken for a college student when dressed casually.

As he exited the vehicle in his informal outfit, students quickly gathered around him.

I trailed behind, listening to their animated discussions.

Somehow, following Daniel had become second nature to me, with Barbara naturally taking her place beside him.

As usual, they sat together, leaving me without a seat due to limited space.

Once everyone was seated, I found myself standing awkwardly to the side, feeling out of place.

"Mr. Moore, is this a new pupil? Are we getting another classmate?" one of Daniel's students inquired.

Noticing my discomfort, he offered me an extra chair.

I finally sat down.

"This is your instructor's spouse. You rascal..."

Logan's statement hushed the room.

A female student murmured, "Oh, I assumed it was Ms. Lane. There was only one room left at the hotel, and they shared it."

The room was so hushed that many people overheard her remark, myself included.

Daniel, seated opposite me, looked panicked and anxious.

He likely feared I would make a scene right there.

In the past, I might have, but not anymore.

I kept my gaze lowered, concentrating on my meal, pretending not to have heard.

Daniel clarified, looking at me, "There was confusion with the hotel bookings, so I helped Ms. Lane get settled first.

"Then I went elsewhere."

I simply smiled indifferently, continuing to eat as if the conversation didn't concern me.

"Ms. Lane was unfamiliar with the area, so I accompanied her to the hotel," he added.

The spectators watched as Daniel kept explaining, probably feeling embarrassed for him.

"Louisa, did you catch that?

"I know you're upset, but..."

Before he could finish, I cut in, "I'm not upset, I get it. It's just part of being in an unfamiliar place."

I even helped explain the situation on his behalf.

"Don't you want to ask anything?" Daniel persisted, almost as if he needed me to be upset to feel satisfied.

I shook my head.

I thought, "What's he thinking, dwelling on this in such a setting?"

Finally, Logan stepped in to ease the tension.

"Shall we just eat?"

The conversation quickly turned to topics I didn't understand.

So, I sat quietly, eating.

Barbara across from me kept urging Daniel to eat, but he didn't eat much, seeming to have lost his appetite.

Just when it appeared the matter would end there, Logan suddenly mentioned Roger.

"Louisa, your father's situation was truly unfortunate. Don't take this the wrong way, but even though Daniel was overseas at the time, he should have returned."

I nodded in agreement.

Since Roger's passing, I had gradually come to terms with his death.

I buried the discomfort deep within my heart.

"Mr. Williams, what happened to Mr. Hiddleston?"

Daniel, fork in hand, froze.

With that question, silence once again enveloped the room.

"You don't know? Mr. Hiddleston suffered a sudden stroke. He's no longer with us."